Guides / Spots

The Best Gamjatang In Toronto

Johnny Ly

over 2 years ago

Gamjatang (pork bone soup) has become almost synonymous with Korean food in the city. Though Korean cuisine has quite an expansive array of dishes, the one that seemingly every person can't seem to get enough of is the spiced pork soup that is usually accompanied by a mountain of pork neck bones, potatoes, noodles, veggies and spices. A good bowl of pork bone soup can make even the coldest of winters bearable and can be enjoyed seemingly any time of day.

Here are some of the best spots for Gamjatang in Toronto.

694 Bloor St W

Paldo Gangsan

This popular hot spot in Koreatown is a no-nonsense hole in the wall with cramp quarters but delicious food. The pork bone soups here are fantastic. An excellent broth on the saltier side, tender meat and is best paired with a great selection of banchan and beers.

Really, no matter where you go for Korean in the city, you're bound to stumble upon pork bone soup on the menu. There may be subtle differences amongst many of them, but those that do stand out deserve some recognition. It's what makes it one of the most popular dishes in the city.

872 The Queensway

Chaban Korean Cuisine

This Etobicoke restaurant serves up Korean comfort food in a bright, well-lit space. Famous for their bibimbaps and sizzling platters, the gamjatang is one of their most popular dishes as well. Flavourful broth and giant chunks of meat are all that's required in their no-frills version of the dish.

1979 Lawrence Ave E

Makkal Chon

This small Korean spot in Scarborough serves some of the best Korean fare. The pork bone soup here is incredible with fall off the bone meat and a nice tingle of spices.

19A Finch Ave W

Huh Ga Ne

Good luck getting a spot during the weekends at this small space near Yonge and Finch. This popular Korean joint has some of the best Korean eats around, including their gamjatang. You can order the single-serving but many come for the massive pork bone hot pot to share with friends, which also comes with potatoes and spicy peppers.

4916 Yonge St

Mapo Gamjatang

When a place has gamjatang in its name, you know what you need to order. This small spot at Yonge and Sheppard is a local favourite and may have the best pork bone soup in the city. Their whole menu centres around variations of the dish and the most popular include toppings like some bouncy Ramyun noodles.

5594 Yonge St

Nak Won

This small Korean restaurant has expanded across Greater Toronto, but its Yonge and Finch location is the most popular. They have a massive menu with tabletop BBQ cooking available but it's their pork bone soup (with noodles) that is an absolute steal. You can also get a massive pork bone hot pot to share with friends for about $25.

5529 Yonge St

Lim Ga Ne - North York

This Korean restaurant actually has two locations, one in Koreatown and the other near Yonge and Finch. Known for their noodles and spicy octopus, the pork bone soup is also a classic. The portion sizes are immense and could almost be good enough for two -- or some leftovers at least.

7353 Yonge St

Cho Sun Ok

Cho Sun Ok may be the furthest spot on this list but it is well worth the drive. This Korean restaurant has been a community staple for years and is popular for its numerous soups, bibimbaps and blood sausages. But the gamjatang is secretly a favourite for many with a generous sprinkling of black peppercorns.

661 Bloor St W

Sunrise House

Sunrise House has been around for over a decade serving cheap comfort Korean food. Their gamjatang is absolutely loaded and the patrons here flock from all over town for a taste. They are normally quite busy and though no one will confuse them for a fine dining spot, the food is well worth the trip.

647 Bloor St W

Jin Dal Lae

This little spot in Koreatown is quickly becoming one of the best spots for pork bone soup. Their popularity has really shot up in the last year or so and their massive soup bowls come with meat that falls off the bone and can be stuffed with as much filling as you'd like.

681 Bloor St W

Tofu Village

Odd to see a place called Tofu Village making some of the best gamjatang in the city. Along with their popular tofu stews, the pork bone soup here is fantastic. They come with chunks of pork meat and a generous helping of veggies, so you don't feel as guilty.

628 Bloor St W

Korean Village Restaurant

This small Korean restaurant has been serving comfort Korean cuisine in Koreatown for over 40 years. Known for their BBQ meats and kimchi, they make a killer pork bone soup that is chock full of spices and massive hunks of pork bones.

2 280 Spadina Avenue DragonCity Unit A

The Famous Owl of Minerva

Probably the most popular Korean restaurant in Toronto, The Owl of Minerva has locations seemingly everywhere. Their pork bone soup is a staple on the menu. They are also open 24 hours a day, so you can get that pork bone soup craving satisfied at any time of day.